Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine, May 9th Victory Day celebration

In a speech marking Russia’s Victory Day on Monday, President Vladimir Putin sought to hyperlink his nation’s wrestle in opposition to Nazi Germany in World Warfare Two along with his invasion of Ukraine and baselessly claimed the West had given him no selection.

Putin mentioned the intervention in Ukraine was crucial because the West was creating “threats subsequent to our borders” and “getting ready for the invasion of our land.” 

He additionally mentioned the West did not wish to hear Russia’s proposals for dialogue.

“NATO nations didn’t wish to hear us,” Putin mentioned, including that which means “they’d very totally different plans and we may see that.”

“Russia gave a preemptive rebuff to aggression — it was a pressured and sovereign choice,” he mentioned.

Putin informed troops that “as we speak you might be defending what your grandfathers and great-grandfathers fought for.”

He additionally addressed the troopers of Donbas” who “along with Russian troopers” are combating for the “motherland.” Donbas, a sprawling heartland area that blankets a lot of japanese Ukraine, has been the entrance line of Ukraine’s battle with Russia since 2014.

Combating has intensified within the area in current weeks as Putin refocused his warfare technique following stiff resistance from Ukrainian forces.

“I handle the servicemen of Donbas,” Putin mentioned within the speech. “You’re combating for the motherland, for its future, in order that classes of World Warfare Two should not forgotten,” he mentioned, including, “there is no such thing as a place in historical past for the punitive divisions of Nazis.”

“We bow our heads within the reminiscence of our comrades in arms who died within the simply wrestle for Russia,” he mentioned. 

After these remarks, a second of silence adopted. 

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